Convertible shipping carton and self-feeder



June 12, 1951 w. c. RENDALI. ET A1.

CONVERTIBLE SHIPPING CARTON AND SELF-FEEDER Filedv Jan.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 WINNER, r

THEIR ATTORNEYS.

`lune 12, 1951 w. c. RENDALL ET AL CONVERTIBLE SHIPPING CARTON ANDsEI.F-F1-:EDER

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. l0, 1949 r11,111....111,1frrafanfl1111111111111111111111/ THEIR ATTORNE June 12,1951 w. c. RENDALL ET Al.

CONVERTIBLE SHIPPING CARTON AND SELF-FEEDER Filed Jan. lO, 1949 3Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG,

INVENTORS Patented June 12, 1951 CONVERTIBLE SHIPPING yCARTON ANDSELF-FEEDER Warren C. Rendall and Fred L; Rushing, Tampa,

Fla., assignors to `Gaylord `Container Corporation, St. Louis, Mo., acorporation of Maryland Application January 10, 1949,` Serial No. 70,066

Claims.

f This invention relates to containers, particu-- larly cartons of thekind used for shipping poultry feed. It has for its principal object toprovide a strong and durable, simple and economical, feed shippingcarton which can be quicklyand easily converted into an efficient troughtype selffeeder. Another object is to provide for cutting said carton toform a ap adapted to be swung outwardly and provide an exposed feedtrough and a communicating opening between the latter and the interiorof the carton. Another object is to provide a folded-blank insert whichis snugly held inside the sealed carton during shipment and'is adaptedtoprovide a false bottom which slopes downwardly to the bottom of thesaid trough and includes means for maintaining the feed in the trough ata level below the top thereof." The invention consists in theconvertible shipping carton and self-feeder and inthe parts andcombinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described andclaimed.

The accompanying drawings, which-form part of the Vspecification andwherein like symbols refer to like parts wherever they. occur,

Fig. 1 isa'perspective viewof a combination shipping and self-feedercarton embodying my invention, the overlapping endiclosure ap thereiofbeing shown broken away 'to disclose the liner insert and thev stop lugin 1 the underlying end closure flap,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the carton laid on its side andconverted into a self-feeder,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective View similar to Fig. 2 showing themanner in which the stop lugs are Vbent inwardly from the underlying endclosure flaps into operative position,

Fig; 4 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view on the line 4 4 inFig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional vieW on line 5 5 inFig. 2,

Fig. 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional View of the carton taken on theline 6-6 in Fig. 1,

Fig. '7, is a horizontal cross-sectional viewv on line 'I--'I in Fig. 2,Y f

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the liner insert,

Fig. 971s a plan View of the blank from which the carton body is formed,

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showinga modified form oftheinvention.

Fig. 11k is a verticallongitudinal sectional view on the line II-II inFig. 10"; and

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the modified form Yof linerinsert shownin Figs. l0 and 11. `vIn the accompanyingdrawings, our invention isshown embodied in a'conventional-one-piece,

folded-blank shipping carton comprising two opsite side walls I providedwith half 'end closure flaps 2 and two opposite side walls 3 and 4,provided with half end closure flaps 5. At each endr 5 of the carton,thehalf'closure flaps 2 of the`two oppositev side walls I are foldedinwardly towards each other into substantially edgewise abuttingrelation and the half closure flaps 5 of the two other opposite sidewalls 3 and 4 are folded over upon the closure flaps 2 and are securedtogether along their abutting edges by a strip of adhesive tape 6. Theoverlapped closure flaps may also be adhesively secured togetherflat-wise.

Each end closure flap 2 of each of the two opposite side walls I is slitor cut, as at 'I, to form therein a displaceable tab 8 which is entirelyseparate from said end closure flap but remains hingedly attached tosaid side wall along the line of fold of said end closure flap. The tab8 of each end closure flap 2 is of substantially V-shape and is locatednext to the side wall 4 with its wide end at the fold line of said endclosure flap. Each tab 8 terminates at its free narrow end in alaterally extending stop lug 9 which extends in the direction of theside wall 3. Each of the two opposing side Walls I has a line ofseverance I0 marked on the outer surface thereof which extends the fulllength of said wall and connectsthe tab forming slits 'I on the sidesthereof located remote from the side wall 4.

The above carton is provided with a separate, one-piece, folded-blankliner insert A which is formed midway between two opposite side mar-.gins thereof into a tubular supporting rib I I that extends from one tothe other of two opposite side margins of said insert and has a flatbottom I2 and upwardly converging side walls I3 that meetl along theirupper edges. The insert also includes two half-bottom panels I4 thatslope downwardlyv and outwardly from the meeting upper edges of theupwardly converging side Walls I3 of the hollow rib II. The meetingedges ofthe halfbottom panels I4 are preferably cove ered by a strip ofadhesive tape I5 that seals and prevents spreading of the joint betweensaid edges.v The self-feeder insert A is positioned within the cartonand snugly ts therein with its Ahollow supporting rib seated against theside wall 4 of the carton midway of the two opposite side walls Ithereof and with its half-bottom panels I4 sloping to the corners formedby the sidewalls I and the sidewall 4.

The carton with the insert A positioned therein is filled with thepoultry feed or other material that is to be dispensed therefrom and issealed in the manner hereinbefore described for shipment to the ultimatepurchaser.

Upon receiving the sealed carton, the feeder places the carton with itsside wall 4 down where the poultry is to be fed and slits the two sidewalls I from endA to end along the lines of severance I0, therebyforming flaps I6 that are hinged to the side wall 4. A knife or othersuitable implement is then slipped between each overlying end closureflap 5, and the tab 8 cut in the underlying end closure flap 2 andpressed against said end tab to bend the latter inwardly out of theplane of the end flap 2. The flaps. I6 formed by cutting the side wallsVI along thev lines I are then bent outwardly and downwardly out of theplanes of said Walls to form the upwardly and outwardly inclined outerside walls of outstanding feed troughs I'I that extend along the lowerportions of said side walls. 'Ihe displaced trough forming aps ISralso'provideV in the side walls I openings I 8 whichestablish'communication between the interior of the carton and theexteriorly located feed troughs I 'I thereof. At the same time, the tabs8 which have been displaced from the end closure aps 2 and areintegrally attached to the trough flaps IB move outwardly with thelatter through the openings I8 and form the end walls of the troughsI'I, the stop'lugs 9 of said ltabs abutting against the side walls Iabove v'said openings and thus limiting the `outward"movement of saidtrough forming flaps and tabs. The half-bottom panels" I4 of theself-feeder insert lA slope downwardly'to the openings I8, whichestablish communication between the interior of the carton and the feedtroughs I'I, and cause the feed to flow by gravity into said troughs.When itis desired to discontinue the feeding, the trough flaps I6 may beswung back into the plane of the `side walls I and the end tabs 8 slidinwardly into the carton. If desired, the flaps may be secured ininoperative position by means of adhesive tape (not shown).

The foregoing arrangement provides a strong, durable, simple andeconomical, feed carton which may be quickly and easily converted intoan eiiicient trough type self-feeder, whose feeding troughs may bereadily returned to inoperative position when it isV desired to renderVthe feed inaccessible. The self-feeder insert A serves to stiifen andstrengthen the carton and provides a Vfalse bottom therefor whichprotects the feed from oor moisture and facilitates movement of feed bygravity into the trough. lThe insert has a snug nt in the carton 4andthus prevents' sifting of the feed around the edges of the insert, andthe joint between the meeting edges of the half-bottom panels I4 of saidinsert is covered by the adhesive sealing strip I which prevents siftingof the feed through said joint and side-wise spreading of the rib II.

In the modified construction shown in Figs. l0, 1l and l2, the insert isprovided at the outer side edges of its sloping half-bottom panels I4with upstanding flanges I9 which seat against the inner faces of theside walls I of the carton and are provided opposite the openings I'B insaid walls with openings 2li which extend substantial- 1y from end toend of said flanges. The upper edges of the openings 2Q are locatedbelow the level of the upper edge of the openings Ii3 thereby reducingthe effective height thereof and maintaining the level of the feed inthetroughs lI'below the upper edges thereof.

Obviously, the heretofore described convertible shipping carton andself-feeder admits of considerable modification without departing fromthe invention. Therefore, we do not wish to be limited to preciseconstruction shown and described.

1. A convertible shipping carton and selffeeder comprising twointegrally connected angularly disposed walls, one of said walls formingthe bottom of said ycarton in the feeding position-thereof and the otherof said walls extending upwardly in such position of said c-arton andformingpnesidegwall thereof, said upright side wall beingadapted-t'o becut along a line located above said bottomforming wall to provide a flapconstructed andzarranged to be swung from the plane of said upright wallat an upwardly and outwardly inclined angle to said wall to form theouter side wall of a feed trough and to provide in said upright wall acommunicating opening between theinterior of said carton and said feedtrough, said flap having tabs extending fromthe' ends thereofvthroug-hsaid opening and forming the ends of said feed trough, a linerinsert seated` ag-ainst the bottom forming wall of said carton andhaving an upstanding flange seated fiati' wise against the inner face ofsaid upright side wall-,and having .an opening constructed and arrangedto communicatewith the openingrformed in `saidr upright lwall when thelap kcut `therein isY swung outwardly l into .trough forming :'posi'"tion, and the upper edge of said opening in said ange being disposedbelow .the upperedge of the openingV in said upright wallso -as todecrease the effective height lof 'saidvlast mentioned opening. 1,. .2'-12.@A convertible shipping carton fand self-i feeder comprising twointegrally, connected angularly disposed walls, one of said wallsforming the bottom of said carton in the feedingl position:v thereof andtheother of said walls' extending upwardly in such position of saidYcarton forming one side wallthereo'f,4 said upright side wall beingadapted to be out along alinelocated above said bottom forming wall toprovide a flap constructed and arranged to rbe swung from the" plane ofsaid upright wall at an upwardly and outwardly inclined angle to saidwall to forni the outer side wall of a feed trough and to `provide insaid upright wall a communie-ating opening between 'the interior of saidcarton and said feed trough, said nap having tabs extending from theends thereof through'said opening and forming the ends of 'said feedtrough, an insert entirely enclosed'within the carton and seatingagainst 'the bottom formingiwall thereof and having a panel which slopesdownwardly toward the loweredge of the opening formed in said uprightwall when the nap cut therein is swung outward-V 1y 'into trough formingpositionysaid insert being provided at the lower edge of its slopingpanel with an upstanding flange seated fiat-wise against the inner faceof said upright side wall and having an opening adapted to communicatewith the opening"formed in said upright wall when the fiap cut thereinis swung 'outwardly into trough forming position, and the upper edge ofsaid opening in said flange being disposed below the upper edge of theopening in said-upright wall so as to decreaselA the effective `heightof lsaid last mentioned opening.

3. A convertible shipping carton and self-feeder comprising four,permanently connected side walls havingend flaps that are-overlapped toclose the E" ends of said carton, one of two opposite side walls formingthe bottom of the carton in the feeding position thereof and the othertwo opposite side walls being adapted to be cut along lines of severancemarked thereon adjacent to and parallel with said bottom forming wallthereon to provide flaps constructed and arranged to be swung from theplanes of said two other opposite side walls at an upwardly andoutwardly inclined angle to said walls to form the outer side walls offeed troughs and to provide openings in said other two opposite sidewalls for establishing communication between the interior of said cartonand said feed troughs, said flaps having tabs extending from the endsthereof through said opening and forming the ends of said feed troughs,and the end flaps of said other two opposite side walls being overlappedby the end flaps of said rst mentioned two opposite side walls andpre-cut to form said end tabs so constructed and arranged that said endtabs are normally disposed in the plane of said overlapped end flaps butare displaceable therefrom for movement with the trough forming flapsinto position to form the ends of said troughs.

4. A convertible shipping carton and Self-feeder comprising fourpermanently connected side walls having end flaps that are overlapped toclose the ends f said carton, one of two opposite side walls forming thebottom of the carton in the feeding position thereof and the other twoopposite side walls being adapted to be cut along lines of severancemarked thereon adjacent to and parallel with said bottom forming wallthereon to provide flaps constructed and arranged to be swung from theplanes of said two other opposite side walls at an upwardly andoutwardly inclined angle to said walls to form the outer side walls offeed troughs and to provide openings in said other two opposite sidewalls for establishing communication between the interior of said cartonand said feed troughs, said flaps having tabs extending from the endsthereof through said opening and forming the ends of said feed troughs,the carton being provided with a liner insert seated against said bottomforming wall and having upstanding marginal flanges seated nat-wiseagainst the inner face of said other two opposite side walls and eachange having an opening therein to communicate respectively with theopenings formed in said last mentioned walls when the flaps cut thereinare swung outwardly into trough forming position, and the upper edges ofsaid openings in said flanges being disposed below the upper edges ofthe openings in said other two opposite side walls so as to decrease theeffective height of said last mentioned openings.

5. A convertible shipping carton and self-feeder comprising fourpermanently connected side walls having end naps that are overlapped toclose the ends of said carton, one of two opposite side walls formingthe bottom of the carton in the feeding position thereof and the othertwo opposite side walls being adapted to be cut along lines of severancemarked thereon adjacent to and parallel with said bottom forming wallthereon to provide flaps constructed and arranged to be swung out of theplanes of said two other opposite side walls at an upwardly andoutwardly inclined angle to said side walls to form the outer side wallsof feed troughs and to provide openings in said other two opposite sidewalls for establishing communication between the interior of said cartonand said feed troughs, said flaps having tabs extending from the endsthereof through said openings and forming the ends of said feed troughs,a liner insert entirely enclosed within the carton and seated againstthe bottom forming wall thereof and having half-bottom panels slopingdownwardly toward the lower edges of said openings when the troughforming flaps are swung into trough forming position, said insert beingformed with a hollow rib seated against said bottom forming wall andsupporting the inner margins of said sloping panels, said insert beingprovided at the lower edges of its sloping half-bottom panels withupstanding flanges seated at-wise against the inner faces of said othertwo opposite side walls and having openings constructed and arranged tocommunicate with the openings formed in said last mentioned walls whenthe flaps cut therein are swung outwardly into trough forming position,and the upper edges of said openings in said flanges being disposedbelow the upper edge of the openings in said other two opposite sidewalls so as to decrease the effective height of said last mentionedopenings.

WARREN C. RENDALL. FRED L. RUSHING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Nevins, Jr Feb. 8, 1944

